After this year, can the centre hold?
19/12/2024
Jim looks back on a year when democracy came under increasing threat, and Labour went from great electoral triumph to economic gloom.
No more taxes
11/12/2024
Jim suggests the shine has come off Rachel Reeves who needs to see results following her tax increases. Jim also wonders if the Iranian regime could fall following the Syrian revolution.
Milestones, millstones or ‘eadstones
05/12/2024
Ed Miliband’s Ed Stone didn’t work well in 2015, Jim says it remains to be seen if Starmer’s milestones will work any better. He also comments on Lancashire devolution and the Assisted Dying Bill.
No to assisted dying
28/11/2024
Jim sets out his case against assisted dying in this week’s blog. He also pays tribute to John Prescott’s vision for how the regions of England should have been governed.
Winter blues for Labour
21/11/2024
With growth flat and inflation edging up, Jim calls for a clearer vision of the government’s business agenda to be spelt out.
Combined Authorities: past and present
14/11/2024
In the week were over one thousand people gathered in Manchester to remember Sir Howard Bernstein, Jim reflects on his achievements at Manchester City Council and following a DIB event with Steve Rotheram looks at the future of Combined Authorities.
Issues not behaviour
07/11/2024
To millions of Americans, Trump’s behaviour was irrelevant. It was, as ever, the economy. Jim’s blog reflects on Trump’s success and the Biden/Harris mistakes.
Trump second coming likely
31/10/2024
Jim is sticking his neck out and predicting Kemi Badenoch and Donald
Trump will be the winners in a big week for politics coming up on both
sides of the Atlantic.
BUDGET WILL DEFINE LABOUR’S FUTURE.
24/10/2024
Jim looks forward to the Budget which could define the whole future of
this new government
TAIWAN: THE BIGGEST THREAT TO PEACE?
17/10/2024
With world tension rising, Jim asks if Taiwan, rather than the Middle
East or Ukraine, be a more dangerous flashpoint. He also comments on the passing of Alex Salmond.
OFF TO THE RIGHT WING WILDERNESS!
10/10/2024
Jim thinks Tory MPs have made a bad mistake in offering two right
wingers to Conservative members who will vote for their next leader in
the coming weeks
Cleverly for now
03/10/2024
Jim reviews yet another turbulent Tory conference and suggests James Cleverly is the best of a poor bunch to lead the Opposition.